Indicator



B. H. HAYES Dec. 29, 1936.

INDICATOR Filed April 26, 1935 Ferfe fl. Ha ve 5, a

ta/ 48a, 41- Tae/YE Y5 Patented Dec. 29 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention appertains to new and useful improvements in indicating means adapted to inform the .driver of a vehicle the condition of his stop and tail lights.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an indicator involving simple means to accomplish the purpose stated, which can be installed on an automobile at low cost.

These and various other important objects of the invention will become apparent to the reader of the following specification. In the drawing: The single figure constituting the drawing of this case is a diagrammatic view disclosing the 16 electrical connection between the electrical elements involved. Referring to the drawing wherein like numerals designate like parts, it can be seen that reference characters 5-5 represent the oppositesides of a battery circuit. Numeral 6 is the usual brake pedal which has an arm 1 pivotally connected as at 9 to the stem 9. This stem 9 carries a contactor generally referred to by numeral l0 consisting of the bridge plate |Il2 separated by the insulation l3. The bridge plate I l is capable of bridging the stationary contacts l4-i4, while the bridge plate. I2 is capable of bridging the contact plates l5-l5. From the positive-side of the battery circuit a wire i6 extends to one side of the solenoid coil I1 and from the opposite side of this coil a connection I8 is made to one of the contacts l4 and one of the contacts i5. From the other contact l4 the conductor l9 extends to the negative side of the 5 battery circuit and has the stop light 29 therein. From the remaining contact IS the conductor 2i extends to the negative side of the battery circuit and has the tail light 22 therein along with a switch 23.

40 From the wire it a Jumper 24 extends to the contactor 25 of the switch generally referred to by numeral 26 which is operative between the contacts 21-28 and adapted to engage these stationary contacts, one at a time.

5 Extending from the contact 21 is the conductor 29 having the green indicating lamp 30 therein. This conductor 29 connects to one side of the resistance 3i. The contactor 32 of thisresistance is connected by the jumper 33 to the 50 negative side of the battery circuit.

Extending from the contact 28 is the conductor 34 and this conductor is also connected to the negative side of the circuit and has the red.

indicating lamp 35 therein.

55 A It can be seen that when the stem 9 moves upwardly, as when the brakes are being applied by the brake Pedal 6, the bridge plate II will bridge the contacts |4-i4, energizing the stop lamp. 20 and simultaneously energizing the solenoid coil H. The energization of the coil l'l will lift the contactor 25 and maintain the same Y engaged with the stationary contact 21. Thus the green indicating lamp 30 will light to indi- 6 cate that the stop light circuit is in operation.

Normally the bridge plate I2 is bridging the contacts |5l5 (that is when the brakes are not in operation) and if the tail light switch 23 is in circuit closed position, the tail light will be 10 deenergized and at the same time current will flow on the wires |624. contactor 25 and contact 21 and by way of the conductor 29 to energize the green indicating lamp 33.

Thus it can be seen that whenever the stop 15 light and tail light are in operation and in proper working order, the green light 30 adjacent the drivers seat will be energized. However, in the event either one of these lamps 29-22 or their circuits become defective, current will flow on 20 the wires Iii-24, contactor 26 and contact 23 to the conductor 34 toenergize the red indicating lamp 35 indicating to the driver that the particular lamp 20 or 22 has become defective.

While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter. go

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

In combination, a stop light and a tail light, a pair of characteristically difierent tell-tale lights, a source of current, a brake pedal oper- 35 .ated switch, said brake pedal operated switch including a pair of stationary contacts, a relay including an electro-magnet and a swingable armature, a pair of stationary contacts engage- I able by the said armature, one of the said con- 40 tacts of the.brake operated switch beingconnected to one side of the magnet, and the remaining side of the magnet being connected to one side of the battery and also to the said armature, a return wire to the battery from one of the contacts of the relay, said return wire having one of the tell-tale lights therein, a connection from the remaining stationary contact of the relay to the return wire and having the remaining tell-tale light therein,'and means associated with the brake operated switch whereby when the stop and tail lights are functioning one of the tell-tale lights will be energized and when one or the other of the said stop or tail lights becomes defective the other of the'two tell-tale lights becomes illuminated.

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